Behavior Changes – Symptoms of Pets with Heart Disease

Owners are often very sensitive to behavior changes in their pets, as they know their animal’s normal routines better than anyone else. Behavior changes may occur in animals with heart disease, as it does with many other illnesses. These may be the result of the signs—distress from difficulty breathing or reluctance to exercise—or be due to certain medications, such as an increased need to urinate with furosemide. Cats hide their illnesses well so it is particularly important to notice changes in behavior, such as hiding or decreased interaction with the family as these can be the earliest signs of heart failure.